I’ve yammered on about it for years, and it’s been the focus of the bulk of my career as an educator since 1988. I’m referring to Personalized Learning – that is, striving to truly see and hear each individual learner and support him or her in reaching their self-declared learning goals, whether they’re 6 or […]

The start of a new year is a good time to consider a new learning path or plan for the coming year. What’s yours? What are you most curious about? What are you committed to exploring or investigating? This decision is yours to covet, just as it is for everyone. After all, each of us […]

According to developmental psychologists, the foundation of human imagination emerges in childhood and its lifelong trajectory reflects the nature of the support that nurtures it during this time. Bolster a young child’s budding imagination at home or in school with encouragement and she will sense this and accept more risks in whatever activities and challenges […]

Students returning to classes in coming weeks may well experience more Personalized Learning opportunities than ever before in what has blossomed into one of the most important new education trends. In schools across North America, from Kindergarten through post-secondary, educators are re-vamping their approaches to better meet students ‘where they’re at’ in their learning needs […]

Time and timing is an issue that is often overlooked in education discussions, but it merits closer attention, and especially the very notable differences between school time and personal time. A first and obvious point is that conventional education prioritizes its timing issues over a learner’s personal time. A second point is that, excepting some […]

I’m sure many people will recognize this scenario – someone in your community, maybe a friend, relative, or passing acquaintance – has retired from their 9 to 5 and is experiencing life at a different pace. In talking with them, you discover they have deep expertise in a particular area and they would be pleased […]

This past week Canadians celebrated and recognized their top musicians at the annual Juno awards ceremony. The talents of the artists and performers, from Justin Bieber to ‘The Weeknd’ to Alessia Cara was extraordinary, as it is every year. Last month we celebrated film achievements with the Academy Awards, in February it was the US […]

Unless you’ve taken up residence in a cave or hermitage, it’s hard to escape a message these days that the future will be, and is being shaped by Big Data. Where yesterday’s data – let’s call it Little Data – was based on sample sizes easily grokked by the average citizen (of n = 1,000 […]

In early January most of the natural world – in the northern hemisphere – is relatively dormant. In response to a lack of sunlight and colder temperatures, living organisms conserve energy in order to survive through winter. But not so long from now, as the days lengthen and temperatures rise, we will see a change […]

In late September, Deans for Impact a US-based organization “committed to improving student-learning outcomes by transforming the field of educator preparation” released The Science of Learning, a report aimed at teachers-in-training. Ostensibly summarizing insights about student learning from cognitive science, SoL reifies these into six mission-critical strategies for novice teachers to apply in the service […]

Why Choose to work with Michael, Now?

We live in exciting times characterized by more insights, tools and strategies for one’s self and organizational empowerment than ever before. Drawing on my expertise, I will help to customize an action plan to help you, your child or organization realize your potential and your dreams. “And if we observe carefully, from the dragon we learn to ride the wind.” – Taoist expression

Book a Presentation or Workshop

Aligned with my book, I offer specialized “Learning Your Way!” presentations and workshops to learners of all ages, parents, seniors, educators, counselors and organizations. There’s never been a more important time to gain fresh insight into learning design and self-potential, thanks to recent developments from the leading edge of science. To arrange a presentation, contact Michael.

Learn Your Way!

Michael’s book, Learn Your Way! SelfDesigning the Life You Really Want, Starting Now! is an ERAC-approved middle and high school textbook for career planning and health education courses (British Columbia), and it has received numerous endorsements: “Learn Your Way is terrific.” – Dr. Maurice Gibbons, author, The Self-Directed Learning Handbook

Learning Your Way Blog

Golfers and tennis players talk about it, as do chess students and artists. I’m referring to a ‘sweet spot’, or a felt sense of interacting with an object – a ball or component – resulting in an optimal performance-moment, depending on the imagined outcome. In Zen parlance a sweet spot encounter reflects a kind of […]